PTI Reverses Stance on Dialogue with Establishment Following DG ISPR’s Presser

Following the press conference by the Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), who indirectly lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), now the PTI has sidetracked its previous stance regarding dialogue with the establishment.

During an ARY News program ‘Khabar’ with Meher Bukhari, PTI leader Asad Qaiser emphasized that his party is not interested in engaging in talks, focusing solely on upholding “constitutional and legal supremacy.”

As the former National Assembly (NA) speaker, Qaiser reiterated PTI’s commitment to the Constitution and the law, urging all institutions to operate within their constitutional boundaries.

Addressing queries about potential negotiations, Qaiser expressed doubts about forming a committee to hold talks with the establishment, noting that no such discussion occurred in recent meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan.

He further clarified that while PTI aims to address the concerns of those questioning the recent elections, it will not engage with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

On the judicial front, Qaiser advocated for creating a commission to investigate the elections, asserting that such a probe could validate or refute PTI’s claims.

As DG ISPR Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif stated on Tuesday, the establishment’s call for dialogue was contingent on a public apology from PTI. Sharif emphasized that dialogue with any group undermining the army through attacks or propaganda would be inappropriate.

Sharif firmly stated, “There can be no dialogue with an anarchist group,” suggesting that the only path forward involved a sincere apology and a shift toward constructive politics.

He further noted that discussions are appropriate for political entities, not institutions.

In response to further questions, Sharif highlighted that PTI secured only 31% of the vote in the February 8 elections, dismissing the notion that this vote share endorsed the May 9 attacks.